A luxury wellness retreat at Anantara Vilamoura, Algarve

11 February 2018

Some people love to browse real estate websites. My guilty pleasure is scanning wellness destination websites. Each to their own, right? Checking the destinations and retreats at Puur en Kuur, Pure & Cure, resembles the kid in a candy store feeling. Reading a spa menu is also a form of meditation.
When I saw the new Anantara Vilamoura amongst the retreat listings in Algarve, it immediately caught my attention. I already read about this new resort which is only 20 minutes by car from my Algarvian home. Time for a wellness staycation.

The Anantara Vilamoura

After a stylish, minimalistic refurbishment the former Tivoli Victoria Hotel became Anantara Vilamoura. The debut for Anantara Resorts in Europe. The iconic luxury resort brand from Thailand is renowned for its wellness and healing traditions.
Located in the Vilamoura area – I always find this part of Algarve a bit artificial. But once inside the hotel you step inside a secluded world on its own. Perfect premises for a wellness retreat.
The resort faces the green landscape of Victoria Championship golf course and has 280 rooms. The amount of rooms surprises me. Due to the set-up it feels (and looks) much more intimate. Very well done.

The (bath) room at Anantara

My deluxe room – no. 141 – is facing the golf course and has a subdued interior. White marble floors, wooden vertical slate walls with both closets and bathroom hidden behind it. The bathroom is equipped with Elemis amenities and has a – separate – large shower and bath.
The small terrace has a soft lounge bed and is big enough for two. It overlooks the garden, palms and golf courses. My favorite hang-out to try a digital detox, read a book and watch the sun set behind the palms.
Despite it being early February, the temperature is around 16 C. When sheltered from the wind I can really feel Spring is coming. These days the soft bathing robe is what I wear most.

Also unlimited daily access to Anantara Spa (worth € 20 per person per day) and unlimited participation on weekly holistic and fitness activities (such as Yoga and Pilates) are included.
I opted for a private yoga lesson. The satyananda yoga lesson by private teacher Carine Gago was a very special one. Namasté.

Let’s Spa at Anantara Vilamoura

The Spa is set in dark colours and has 6 treatment rooms. An indoor vitality pool with view, sauna, Turkish bath and a special Vichy Shower room.
Authentic healing traditions are deeply rooted in Algarve’s past and are incorporated within Anantara’s Asian approach of holistic wellness and natural beauty.
The Anantara Signature massage is a mix of different techniques, feels like a massage tasting menu. The pressure is medium with long strokes altered with stretching movements known from the traditional Thai massage. I felt both relaxed and energized after this treatment.
I booked an additional facial, the Elemis Pro Collagen Age Defy. A targeted lymphatic drainage massage treatments with an age-defying mask to improve firmness and elasticity. Who can say not to that?

Healthy food

During these low season months, not all restaurants within the resort are open. So, that gives me good reason to come back in Summer and experience EMO, the fine dining restaurant.
For now I can only share my review of Victoria Restaurant. Located on the ground floor with large glass doors that open to terrace, pool and garden.
The breakfast is amazing with fresh, local delicacies from Algarve. Stress of choice to start the day, too many healthy options! My wellness days start with an elaborate breakfast, healthy grilled organic vegetables for lunch and only fruit at night.

Golf clinic at Victoria Course

The golf course is an inherent part of the resort and vice versa. It takes an easy underground hallway from lobby to clubhouse and practise facilities. The Victoria course – an Arnold Palmer design – is a championship course which annually hosts the Portugal Masters.
Tomás Carlota is the golf guru on site and the designated person to perfect your swing or improve your putting skills during a golf clinic. We played 9 holes – on course lesson – and I am very thankful for all his tips. Now I have to practice what he preaches, which is another challenge.
Playing the back 9 was also a great opportunity to experience my new golf outfit, a collaboration with Deblon Sports.

The sense of serene elegance, the genuine friendly staff – obrigada! – and the luxurious, minimalistic environment makes this resort a solo friendly retreat. I valued the tranquility which allows me to turn my attention inwardly and reflect. Anantara is derived from ancient Sanskrit and means ‘without end’. Let’s leave it at that.

disclaimer
My stay at Anantara was by invitation of the Puur en Kuur on behalf of Chapter Fifty. I only accept invites that answer positive to the question: “does it match my lifestyle?”. I will not promote anything that I would not wear, eat, sleep or see myself. Authenticity is very important to me. Words, photos and opinions are my own.

Founder and travel journalist Karin Barnhoorn (’63) enjoys life after fifty. She is an avid iPhoneographer.
The sustainable approach on Luxury Travel ticks all her boxes (guilty feeling when flying included). As does golf, wellness and healthy food. Home is the Portuguese countryside Algarve.